“Sunday Smack” by Valda Moore

This Sunday morning seems different for some reason . . .

Prison Noir featured in the New York Times!

Prison Noir — the latest release in Akashic’s Noir Series, edited by National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Oates — was reviewed by Marilyn Stasio for her New York Times Sunday Book Review Crime column!

William Scott Lyon: A Pathos in Prison

To celebrate the release of Prison Noir — the latest release in Akashic’s Noir Series and edited by National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Oates — we’re very pleased to bring you a guest post by William Scott Lyon, who facilitates a creative writing workshop on death row in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The Clown Nose” by Stephanie Laterza

“The kids are full of sugar,” Martin’s teacher announces at pickup time. “They had cupcakes for Kyle’s birthday.”

I suppose this explains why my son and his toddler cohorts are roadrunning around the classroom and catapulting off the low leather couches . . .

“In the Kitchen” by Josh Krigman

The floor was covered with Timothy’s blood when Maurice came down the steps from the dining room to see how things were moving along . . .

Robert Antoni and other OCM Bocas Prize winners in the Alps

As Flies to Whatless Boys author Robert Antoni was one of eight OCM Bocas Prize winners invited to share their writing at the annual Babel Festival in the Swiss Alps.

“The Hive” by Elaina Acosta Ford

You tiptoe through the dark labyrinth of the Hive until you reach the tiny room where you’ve spent every Thursday night for the last couple of months toiling away to no avail. The stench of Gouda, Kathleen’s patchouli, and the tang of potentially unfulfilled dreams waft through the air. A metal chair screeches against the gray linoleum when you pull it out, causing everyone to gawk at you. Kathleen rolls her eyes but does not relent. The weak smile spreading across your face fades as you remind yourself that this is the last time you’re going to see these people—your people. You promise yourself that you won’t sip wine or munch crackers or make small talk when this is all over. Saying goodbye is hard enough without all the empty calories and tedious chatter. You swear to yourself this is going to be the last time you pay to play. Your pocketbook and soul can’t take it anymore.

Spotlight on Pongo Teen Writing

To celebrate the release of Prison Noir — the latest release in Akashic’s Noir Series and edited by National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Oates — we’re pleased to bring you a spotlight on the Pongo Teen Writing program written by Eli Hastings, the program’s assistant director.